Pulse code system



A. G. CLAVIER PULSE CODE SYSTEM Filed latch 16, 1948 Aug". 29, 195o nanaaatg. 29.1950

UNITED "--sTATIEs- PATIENT ortica essaies Application March 16, 1948, Serial No. 15,081

10 Claims.

This invention relates to systems for converting amplitude modulated pulse signals into signals modulated in accordance with a given pulse code and more particularly to such conversion systems utilizing frequency modulation as the translating medium.

It is known to convert signals modulated in accordance with a significant pulse amplitude into pulse-code modulation. Ordinarily, pulse code modulation systems utilize the factor of amplitude to obtain a translation from amplitude into code modulation, directly or indirectly.

In connection with the operation of such systems an important consideration arises which has for its purpose the operative stabilization of the overall system. i

It has been found that such stabilization can be made far more effective if the medium utilized for translating from one mode of modulation into another mode is frequency rather than amplitude.

It is any object of the present invention to provide a system for converting pulse amplitude into pulse code modulation using frequency modulation as a translating medium.

It is another object to provide a pulse code modulation converting system wherein the two quantities which are being periodically compared for the purpose of obtaining pulse code determining voltages are frequencies, one a function of the amplitude modulated pulses, and the other of a factor varying in time as an exponentially varying characteristic. y

In accordance with certain features of the invention, I provide a system for periodically comparing two 'frequencies of which one is a function of the pulse amplitude signal to be converted and the other a function of a locally generated modulating voltage varying in accordance with an exponentially decaying characteristic and of the relative frequency difference as obtained from the preceding periodic comparison. More particularly the pulse amplitude signal is converted into a frequency function, the frequency being linearly related to the modulating amplitude. Another locally generated frequency is modulated cyclically by means of a so-called weighing signal which has an exponentially decaying amplitude characteristic and which 'is applied to modulate the second frequency in such a way that increments of frequency are added to said source in accordance with the time at which they are applied and in accordance with the result of the comparison of the two basic frequencies which has taken place in the prior period.

2 In accordance 'with another feature the two basic frequencies are periodically compared and the resultant employed for stabilizing the relationship between these two frequencies.

These and other objects and features of the invention will become more apparent and the invention itself, though not necessarily defined by said features and objects, will be more clearly understood by reference to the following description of an embodiment of the invention taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein: f

Fig. 1 is a diagram in block form of a pulse code conversion system in accordance with the invention; y

Fig. 2 is a diagram in schematic form of the locl weighing oscillator of the system of Fig. 1; an

Fig. 3 is a series of graphs illustrating certain operative conditions of the system of Fig. l.

Referring to the above drawings the system shown in Fig. 1 includes an oscillator I which is a source for providing a basic frequency designated at Fi. This oscillator includes means for converting incoming pulse amplitude modulations into linearly corresponding frequency modulations for instance by means of a reactance tube type modulator. However, any other suitable device for converting from amplitude into frequency may be used. At 2. there is shown a second oscillator which is productive of another basic or primary frequency indicated as Fa. This second oscillator has the function of acting as a local weighing oscillator. The oscillator 2 is capable of being modulated in respect to frequency and itself is preferably of the type shown in Fig. 2. This type oscillator is known as the positive grid type oscillator and will. be discussed in greater detail in connection with the second figure. In order to provide suitable modulating voltages for the weighing oscillator a weighing signal generator is provided as at 3. The output of the generator 3 is such as to vary in accordance with the function e-M=1/2, that is to say an exponentially decaying characteristic wherein the effective ordinate declines l/2 of the previous value at given intervals of the abscissa. The output of the weighing signalgenerator 3 is applied to the oscillator 2 by way of a modulator 4. In order to establish a timing base for the operation of the system I provide a master pulse generator shown at 5 which is the source of a periodic synchronizing pulse applied to various portions of the system as will appear hereinbelow.

One such portion synchronized by the generaassaut 3 torIisacodepulsegeneratorIwhiehisproductive of the desired number of code pulses in response to each synchronizing pulse chosen, in the example used, six pulses for each cycle. To obtain a comparison of the two basic frequencies FiandFz,tnetwooscillators l and! havetheir output combined in a mixer circuit I Which through a suitable limiter circuit I feeds into a frequency discriminator I. Tne discriminator I is prexerably tuned to a predetermined value of the difference between Fia and E, that is of the unmodulated values of Fi and Fs. The voltage response with change in frequency of the circuit I is snown at III. Tne output energy of the discriminator I is negative or positive in accordance with the relative magnitudes of Fiand Fs and is fed into a video ampliiier I I, which is periodically gated under control of code puise generator I. Thus the output of the amphiier II will be a series of pulses of variable amplitude, either positive or negative in accordance with the output of the discriminator I. By passing the output of the ampiiner II through a threshold circuit II the negative pulses are eliminated and there remain only a group of positive pulses of constant amplitude which represent the desired coded puise output corresponding to the original amplitune modulated pulse input.

The comrol oi the application of the modulating voltage or the generator I with respect to the oscillator Z is obtained by feeding bacs the output ox' the threshold circuit II to the oscillator 2 through the medium of a modulator II after being delayed in a delay circuit II. Modulator Is serves as a control for tne application oi the weighing signal generator output voltage as it is applied to trie oscillator I. The modulator II is also periodically controlled by means of a synchronizing pulse from the puise generator I over a delay circuit II. A stabiiisim control over the relationship between the two basic frequencies Fi and F1 is provided in the form of a control feedbacir from the discriminator I to oscillator I in the form of a positive or negative voltage. This feedback takes piace intermediate the periods of the modulated frequency comparison as determined by the synchronised pulse from the masier pulse generator I which aca to energize or to gate an auxiliary video amplifier II receiving the output of the discriminator I and feeding into an associated low-pass mter II. As the relatonship between two basic non-modulated frequencies varies, the output of the discriminator will result in dinerential voltages, the polarity o! which will depend on the relative value oi' the two frequencies and which is fed back to the oscillator I in order to reestablish the said predetermined relationship by modifylng frequency F.

Having reference to the schematic showing in Fig. 2, the preferred circuit for the oscillator I comprises a positive grid tube II. For a detailed treatment of the theory of operation of this type of oscilla.or reference may be had to U. B. Patent No. 1,987,989. The tube II is made up of a central nlament II, a helicoLdal grid II which builds up the oscillator circuit and to which a voltage is applied to point 2i symmetrical to the two terminals thereof. The third electrode is comprised of a cylindrical plate II which is coaxial with the filament and grld. A source of potential indicated at II supplies a positive bias to the grid applied at the point Il, a condenser II serving as a high frequency shunt therefore. Another source of potential II supplies a negative bias to the plate II, condenser II serving as a high frequency shunt. The battery required for the filament nas not been shown. 'lne tube II has in enect two modulating electrodes the negatively biased 4plate having a high impedance is modulated from a tube Il which includes in its circuit a resistance Is having a comparatively hign value. When tube Il is conducting a volt age is applied to a time constant circuit in shunt with tne tube consisting of a condenser 2s snunting resistance II. The voltage first applied to the condenser will remain there until the coding cycle has been completed. Upon completion of sucn a cycle resistance Il is short circuited by s discharge device II, which may comprise an electron discharge tube under control of a synchronizing pulse from the master pulse generator I by way of the delay circuit II. The modulator tube Il, which forms a part of the modulator II of Fig. i, is rendered conductive by means of a voltage from the weighing signal generator I applied over the leads II and II under the control of code pulses in the output of the threshold circuit II. Conduction of the tube I1 takes place only if the negative biss from a source II is overcome by a positive voltage due to code pulses from the threshold circuit II applied to a grid circuit resistance II.

The second control electrode, that is the grid IIoftube IIhasalowimpedancewhichhasa modulating voltage impressed thereon by means of a tube II. The tube II, which is part of the modulator I of Fig. l includes in its circuit a comparatively small resistance II sbunted by a condenser I1 constituting a low time circuit as compared to the large time circuit associated with the tube I1. When the tube II is rendered conductive, condenser II is charged from signal generator I whenever a code pulse from generator I is present. At such a time the negative bias duetoasoureeIIiscounteracedbymeanscfa positive voltage which becomes effective aero. grid circuit resistance II as obtained from the code puise generator I. During intervals between eode pulses tube II is non-conductive and condenser I'I will discharge quickly through the small resistance II.

In operating the above system a first comparison will be made between the incoming pulse amplitude modulated signal applied to determine the frequency of oscillator I and the output of the auxiliary oscillator 2 during the first code pulse obtained from the generator I. Having reference now to the graphs in Fig. 3, graph a indi cates the character of the pulse amplitude modulated signal in the form of a pulse 4I. Thus, pulse III represents both the amplitude value o! the applied pulse as well as the corresponding variation in the frequency Fi of the oscillator I. Graph b represents the composite output voltage of the oscillator 2 obtained as a result of the modulating voltages applied to the two oontrolling electrodes thereof over modulators II and I during each of the I code pulses of generator I in graph e. Graph c illustrates the characteristic of the output voltage of the weighing signal generator I showing an exponentially decaying curve II which during intervals from one pulse to the next of the generator I decreases in amplitude by $6 of the previous value. Thus. if the applied pulse II has an equivalent weight of II as shown in graph a and in view of the 6 element code used in this example the maximum weight level is II, half of the maximum level, which is the maximum amplitude of the curve II with reference to which the nrst comausm man eemiionver. um: nebulae miniem cod .pulse from generator .renders the tot at that time available froml the generator which has the weight of l2 in accordance with graph c is applied to the low impedance gridl 2l over the small time constant circuit 3l and Il whereby a fairly rapid maximum voltage value is attained with respect to the grid 20 as indicated at 4I (graph b). The frequencies thus obtained from oscillators I and 2 are compared in the mixer circuit 'I and the difference converter into voltage amplitude in the discriminator 9. If the frequencies are related as indicated in graphs a and b, Fi isA larger than Fr with the consequence that a positive output will be obtained from the discriminator s and a code pulse is obtained from the threshold circuit i2. Should, however, frequency F1 be less than the frequency Fr of the oscillator 2 the resultant negative output of the discriminator 9 will not be productive of any pulse code in the threshold circuit I2. In the example shown, the weight of the 'first corresponding code pulse is therefore 32 which occurs only in the case when the 6 element code has been chosen. The code pulse thus obtained is fed back through the delay circuit Il and the modulator I3, that is the tube 21 (Fig. 2) to electrodes 2li and 22 whereby subsequent to the occurrence oi' the said ilrst code pulse the resultant frequency of the oscillator 2 is maintained at the value it had during the duration of the first code pulse. This action, however, is slightly delayed through the medium of the circuit I4 so as not to begin during the occurrence of the said rst code pulse. The process is such that the comparison of the two basic frequencies for the second code pulse will be made at a frequency increased by the weight I6, that is an amount which is required for the binary type of weighing. The operation explained for the first code pulse will then repeat itself and thereby result in a correct coding result. The application of the 32 weight pulse code to the high impedance control electrode 22 will result in the maintenance of the corresponding level voltage thereon until the termination of Vthe coding pulse cycle. It must. of course, be kept in mind that the effect of the two central electrodes in tube I 8 is such that there exists a definite relationship in respect to the conversion of the applied voltage to the output frequency in accordance with the speciflcation in the above-identified U. S. patent.

A second frequency comparison occurs as the second code pulse is supplied from the genera.- tor I. At this time the oscillator 2 is adjusted to a level of 32+16=48 (graph b). The weight 4I is derived due to the simultaneous action of its two central electrodes, one acted on by the modulator I3 giving a weight of 32, and the other one acted on by the modulator I supplying the voltage then available from the generator 3 which hasthe weightof IB (graph c). Ii', as is the case in this instance, the frequency F1 which is of the weight 50 is larger than the frequency Fa which has the weight 48, the process described in connection with the first code pulse repeats itself. The result is that a coded pulse is transmitted and the high impedance electrode will be pushed up in the subsequent interval to a weight corresponding to I8. Thus, the subsequent comparison will take place between the frequency corresponding to the supplied pulse amplitude signal and a frequency F2 modulated to a level made up of weights 32+16+8=56.

vthan les. the I supplied by pulg 15.

2 mem impedance electrode stay attire level 12 for'V A the comparison-whichwill thus be'made at a level32+8=40. A correct binary weighingvis. Y'

thus achieved. For the weights selected in the illustrative example successive comparisons will thus take place at composite levels of 32, 4l, Il. I2 and 50, the resultant transmitted core pulse signal being indicated in graph d. The transmitted pulses are the first, second and fifth pulse having the weight of 32, I0 and 2 respectively giving a total final weight of 50.

As already outlined the output of the discriminator l between the code pulses is utilized for holding stable the relationship between the two basic frequencies Fi and El, an advantage which ls attained with somewhat less difficulties than in systems used heretofore.

Any desired variation in the basic number of code pulses may be obtained by the change of the maste`rpulse generator I, the coding pulse generator 6 and the delay lines I5 and Il. 'Ifhe rest of the system need not be changed thus providing a system having great flexibility.

While I have described above the principles of my invention in connection with specific apparatus, it is to be clearly understood that this de scription is made only by way of example and not as a limitation on the scope of my invention.

I claim:

1. An electronic system for converting an amplitude modulated signal into binary code pulse indications, comprising meansfor supplying pulses modulated in amplitude in accordance with the amplitude variations of an audio signal, a ilrst source for providing a voltage at a given primaryv frequency, first means for angularly modulating the said primary frequency as a substantially linear function of said'amp.itude modulated pulses, a second source for providing a voltage at another given primary frequency, said other frequency serving as a reference, means for providing a weighing signal for angularly modulating said other frequency, said weighing signal varying as a function of time, a second means for angularly modulating said other frequency controlled by said weighing signal means, means for periodically comparing the two modulated primary frequencies, and means responsive to said comparing means for obtaining binary pulse cede indications of a given elemental number for each amplitude modulated pulse in accordance with the amplitude thereof.

2. A system according to claim 1, wherein said weighing signal means comprises a generator providing an exponentially decaying cyclical voltage.

3. An arrangement according to claim 1, wherein said comparing means comprises a circuit for mixing said two modulated primary frequencies and a frequency discriminator.

4. An arrangement according to claim 1, wherein said second source comprises a positive grid oscillator.

5. A system according to claim I4, wherein said positive grid oscillator comprises a high and a low impedance modulating electrode and a large and a small time constant circuit associated with said respective electrodes.

6. A system according to claim l, wherein said second modulating means includes a ilrst and a second modulator for applying voltages from said weighing signal means to said second source and means for controlling second modulator from said pulse code obtaining means.

7. A system according to claim 1, wherein said pulse code obtaining means comprises an ampliiler and a threshold limiter circuit, a code pulse generator, and means for supplying energy from said comparing means and said code pulse generator to said amplifier and said threshold limiter.

8. A system according to claim 1, further including means for synchronizing the operation of the system including a master pulse generator and a code pulse generator energized thereby.

9. A system according to claim l, further including means for stabilizing the relationship of said first and second primary frequencies, including feedback means from said comparing means to said nrst source.

10. An electronic system for converting an amplitude modulated signal into binary code pulse indications, comprising means for supplying pulses modulated in accordance with the amplitude variations of an audio signal, a ilrst source for providing a voltage at a given primary frequency, first means for modulating said first primary frequency as a substantially linear function of such amplitude modulated pulses, a second source for providing a voltage at another given primary frequency including a positive grid oscillator, a signal generator for providing a weighing signal for modulating said other frequency, said weighing signal varying as a function of time, a master pulse generator for cyclically controlling the operation of the system. a pulse code generator for cyclically supplying elemenetal code pulses controlled from said master pulse generator, a circuit for mixing the two modulated Primary frequencies, a frequency discriminator supplied from said mixing circuit for converting frequency into voltages substantially tuned to a given dinerenoe of the two primary diilerences. means for obtaining pulse code signals from said discriminator circuit including a threshold limiter controlled from said nulle code generator. means for applying a frequency modulating 818ml to said second source from said weighing signal generator including a nrst modulator controlled from said code pulse generator and a second modulator controlled from said master pulse generator including a delay circuit and controlled from said pulse code obtaining means including another delay circuit; and means for stabilizing a given relationship of said two primary frequencies in# cluding feedback means from said discriminator to said nrst source controlled by said master pulse generator.

ANDRE o. CLAVIER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,438,908 Goodall Apr. 6, i948 OTHER. REFERENCES Pages 392-409 of Bell System Technical Journal," vol. 21, No. 3, dated July 1947. 

